- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Mountainous regions of western China and Tibet. Rheum palmatum
Asia · Herb · № 137
Rheum palmatum
Herb · Asia
Chinese rhubarb
Rheum palmatum
The root (da huang) contains anthraquinones, making it a strong laxative. In small amounts its tannins have the opposite, binding effect. Its mechanism is well understood.
Safety notes
Use only short term. Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, bowel obstruction, bowel inflammation or kidney stones. May cause potassium loss and interact with heart medicines and diuretics. Rhubarb leaves are poisonous.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not in pregnancy, arthritis or gout. Leaves poisonous.
- Chinese materia medica: Only with real heat and excess; not during pregnancy, menstruation or breastfeeding, not for long periods. Can cause abdominal cramps: combine with a little tangerine peel or ginger.
Preparation
The dried root as decoction or powder in herbal formulas; only short term. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Rhubarb root was a valuable trade product on the Silk Road for centuries; Persian and Arab physicians also used it. Ody notes that in Europe the root once cost more than opium.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Laxative (high dose), astringent (low dose), aids digestion, antibacterial.
Preparation and amount
Root tincture: 5–10 drops astringent for diarrhoea, 1 ml as a liver stimulant and mild laxative, up to 2.5 ml strongly laxative (with fennel or mint against cramps); weak decoction (0.5 g) for diarrhoea, strong (3 g) for chronic constipation; strong decoction on boils.
Caution: Not in pregnancy, arthritis or gout. Leaves poisonous.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, cold
- Meridians
- liver, spleen, large intestine, stomach, pericardium
Attributed effects
Da huang drains heat and dampness in constipation with high fever, jaundice or a full, painful abdomen, cools the blood in bleeding from heat, moves blood in absent or painful menstruation and bruises, and is used externally for burns and abscesses. In low doses it actually stops diarrhoea.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–12 g a day, cooked briefly for a laxative effect. Soaked in wine, rhubarb moves the blood more strongly; charred it stops bleeding.
Combinations
- With Glauber's salt and bitter orange for constipation from heat
- With Glauber's salt and peach kernel for intestinal inflammation
- With fu ling and red peony for lumps in the lower abdomen
Caution: Only with real heat and excess; not during pregnancy, menstruation or breastfeeding, not for long periods. Can cause abdominal cramps: combine with a little tangerine peel or ginger.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen
- Formulas
- Ba zheng sanChai hu jia long gu mu li tangDa chai hu tangDa cheng qi tangDa huang mu dan pi tangDang gui long hui wanFang feng tong sheng sanLiang ge sanMa zi ren wanSan huang xie xin tangTao he cheng qi tangTiao wei cheng qi tangWen pi tangXiang sheng po di wanXiao cheng qi tangYin chen hao tang